"Before having counselling I felt lost and alone. Now I feel as though I’ve been listened to and have the strength to make decisions about my own future."

Tanya
Aged 46

Regional ISVA Service

Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy

Our ISVA service offers practical help, advice & information for victims of rape and sexual abuse and their families.

Who is the ISVA service for?

The ISVA service helps anyone who has been the victim of unwanted sexual contact. If you have been raped or sexually abused at any time in your life, our ISVA service can offer you practical support to deal with your circumstances. Our aim is to help give you the confidence, support and information you need to take control of your situation and move forward.

Our service is available to men, women, children and families, regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack.

What does the ISVA do?

Your individual worker (ISVA) will listen to you and find out what your needs are. He or she will then help you to access support from other agencies, such as:

Health services

Housing/Homelessness

Benefits

Counselling

The ISVA will also give you information to help you decide whether you want to report the incident(s) to the Police. You do not have to report the attack. If you decide not to report the matter, we will still provide you with support.

If you do decide to report the matter your worker will help you through the whole process, including working with the Police and the rest of the criminal justice system. Examples of the type of support your ISVA will provide include:

Liaising with the police, courts, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other public agencies